Scope and Content Note

The Dean of Undergraduate Studies Records document the development of a general education
curriculum for undergraduates at Oregon State University in the early 1970s, the College
and University Teaching Project to improve instruction, and other aspects of undergraduate
education. The collection includes committee records, reports, publications, and
related documentation and correspondence.

The records of the Ad Hoc Committee on General Education (1971-1974) include minutes,
reports, correspondence and responses received by the committee as well as draft and
final proposals regarding development of a general education program for undergraduate
students at Oregon State. The Committee was appointed in 1971 with the charge to
develop a policy statement about general education at Oregon State University, including
a definition and rationale; complete a literature review on general education; and
provide recommendations. A 1973 compilation of responses from schools and departments
on campus to the proposed general education requirements is also included.

The bulk of this collection consists of materials documenting the College and University
Teaching Project (1974-1980), a faculty development program to improve instruction
at Oregon State. These materials include brochures, progress reports, and publications.
The College and University Teaching (CAUT) Project began as a special workshop in
the summer of 1974 sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Studies to provide instruction
to Oregon State faculty on new and innovative methods to improve teaching. The progress
reports include detailed descriptions by faculty participants of modifications they
made to courses as a result of the project. The CAUT Project was led by Dean N. Osterman
(CAUT Coordinator) and Benjamin P. Purvis (CAUT Project Director). The materials
include several reports and publications about the program written by Osterman.

The Dean of Undergraduate Studies Records include a program summary of the University
Exploratory Studies Program for the 1972-1973 academic year, prepared by Morris LeMay,
and the June 1982 report of the Enrollment and Retention Committee. This committee
was appointed by President MacVicar in 1980 to examine current policies and procedures
regarding admission and retention of undergraduate students and make recommendations
for modifications to current practices and procedures.

The Index to Advising Resources for 1976-1977 and 1977-1978 provides an index to sources
for answering various advising questions that may be directed to advisors, faculty,
or administrators.

Correspondence and reports pertaining to policies and procedures for credit by examination
at Oregon State using the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject examinations
are included in the collection.